AK Steel blast furnace failure may cost millions

Middletown problem could reduce shipments

7:37 PM,
Jun. 27, 2013

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Work is continuing at AK Steel's steelmaking facility in Middletown to repair a blast furnace that suffered a mechanical failure last week.

West Chester-based AK Steel Holding Corp. said no injuries resulted from the Saturday failure at the furnace's charging apparatus. The charging apparatus is the system used to feed coke, iron ore, limestone and other feedstock into the blast furnace, which is used to produce molten iron.

The company is continuing to assess the situation. AK Steel spokesman Michael Wallner said Thursday that repairs could be complete as early as next month. ...